Is it right for you?
Kendall Mountain towers right over Silverton. With a good vehicle it is a short, easy climb, and the upper Kendall Gulch basin is full of wildflowers in July and early August.
From the treeline switchback, you walk the jeep road to a higher switchback, climb steep tundra to the saddle west of the summit, and follow the ridge east. It is Class 1, just steep, and fine for young kids.
The round trip is about 2.6 miles with 1,875 feet of gain from the treeline switchback. Kendall No. 2 Benchmark is an easy add to the west.
Plan of the day
By 8 a.m.
Off the ridge by early afternoon.
Steep tundra above the road.
Easy. Aim for the first saddle west of the summit.
None reliable. Bring it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,353'…—
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Afternoon storm risk is the line that matters. Everything else is comfort. In summer, plan to be off the ridge before the build-up starts, not as it starts. Forecast for the summit point, adjusted for its elevation · data from Open-Meteo.
Getting there
Kendall Gulch
In Silverton, turn southeast on East 14th Street (one block before the courthouse) and cross the Animas River to a fork. Passenger cars park here, out of the way, or just up the right-hand Kendall Gulch road before it starts to climb. On foot from here, Kendall Mountain alone is about 11 miles round trip with about 4,040 feet of gain.
High-clearance vehicles can drive the Kendall Gulch road, a busy jeep route. It has become rockier and slower over the years, so ask in town about current conditions. Our figures start at a switchback at treeline, about 11,480 feet, which has parking. Above it the road is 4WD only and very rocky up to another big switchback at 12,260 feet, with plenty of room to park.
There's no camping in Silverton. Try the town's Molas Lake campground, the Forest Service campground at Little Molas Lake, or primitive sites along US 550 toward Molas Pass and up South Mineral Creek (Forest Road 585). All fill up on summer weekends.
Base towns and camping for this climb
Coming from out of state? See Lodging & Camping for how free camping works, what is closed this year and where to stay.
Before you go
Check these the week of your climb.
Official forecast
The National Weather Service forecast for the summit area, hour by hour. Look for thunderstorm chances and wind above treeline.
NWS point forecast →Directions to the trailhead
Kendall Gulch. Road conditions near the trailhead change after storms. Check your clearance and have a backup plan for a lower lot.
Get directions →Roads and highways
Closures, construction and winter conditions on the highways that get you there.
COtrip road conditions →Closures and fire rules
Trail closures, fire bans and other alerts from the Forest Service in Colorado. For the latest on your trailhead, call the local ranger district.
Forest Service alerts →Snow on the route?
From fall through early summer, any snow slope can slide. Check the avalanche forecast before you go.
Avalanche forecast →Cell signal
Most trailheads and many summits have little or no signal. Check coverage near the trailhead and carry a satellite messenger or beacon if you can.
FCC coverage map →